Conference Preview: American Athletic

It wasn't that long ago that the American Athletic was the conference of the national champion. Connecticut won the title just two years ago, but it seems like the AAC has now taken a backseat to the Big East (home of the current champ). In many ways, the AAC is the old Conference USA – plus UConn. There are other fine teams here: Memphis, SMU, and Cincinnati are worth noting, but there are enough Tier 2 teams that generally drag one of the newest conferences down. Lifting the bottom of the conference would help the group gain an identity.

TOP PLAYERS

Dedric Lawson (F)

At the end of the year, it would be a surprise if anyone other than Lawson were the AAC Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 sophomore is coming off a great season for the Tigers. He averaged 15.8 points, a conference-leading 9.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. With Shaq Goodwin no longer clogging the paint, those numbers could increase. Memphis would have to win more for Lawson to make noise on the national scene. Coach Tubby Smith takes the reins of the Tigers after a successful stint at Texas Tech. Smith has helped many players to the NBA, including Tayshaun Prince, Jamaal Magloire, and Rajon Rondo. Lawson should be the next to make the leap.

Gary Clark (F)

In his sophomore season, Clark made a pleasant leap in production. He showed that he could rebound as a freshman and continued to hit the boards in his second season as a Bearcat (8.8 boards). The improvement came in the field where Clark improved his scoring average to 10.4 points. He went 13-of-25 on 3-pointers (52 percent), which could be an area of improvement as he heads into his junior season. Octavius Ellis has moved on, so there may be more offensive opportunities for Clark. He will have some help in the frontcourt with North Carolina State transfer Kyle Washington.

Damyean Dotson (G)

Dotson transferred from Oregon and continued to put up numbers. In his first year with his hometown team, Dotson provided 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds. He improved his long range shooting to 36.7 percent after hitting just 32 percent of his 3-pointers in two years as a Duck. The 6-5 senior struggled at the beginning of conference play (three straight games of five points or fewer), but finished the season with 12 straight games of 12 points or more. He led the Cougars to a win over Connecticut with 22 points and 14 rebounds on Feb. 28. If Dotson can continue to hit 3-pointers, he should get plenty of offensive opportunities.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Semi Ojeleye (F)

Perhaps it is unfair, but once a player heads to either Duke or Kentucky there are big expectations for them. Ojeleye spent two years playing sparingly off of the Blue Devil bench before transferring to play for Larry Brown. The elder statesman of coaches did not last at SMU, but Ojeleye will look to provide coach Tim Jankovich with production. The 6-8 junior has a diverse offensive game and should be able to bang against frontcourt players in the AAC. The Mustangs have Ben Moore (11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds), but Ojeleye could be among the team leaders in scoring.

Alterique Gilbert (G - freshman)

Although Gilbert might start the season coming off the bench, he is a player that should be monitored. The 6-2 McDonald's All-American may be more of a distributor than the incumbent point guard, Jalen Adams. Gilbert is just 5-11, but has the quickness and speed to lead the Husky fast break. Coach Kevin Ollie, a former Husky point guard himself, could go with a two-guard look with Adams and Gilbert. The team also has senior Rodney Purvis in the backcourt, but he may be asked to swing into the frontcourt to take advantage of the team's speed. Gilbert may be a good player to stash.

Junior Etou (F)

Let's face it: who wouldn't want to leave Rutgers? With as a little offense as possible meant to the Scarlet Knights, it might give players a new lease on life to get away from the bottom-feeding team. The burly 6-7 Etou spent two losing seasons in New Jersey before heading to the Golden Hurricane to play for coach Frank Haith. He averaged 7.4 points and 6.6 rebounds as a sophomore in 2014-15 and could be the focus of the Tulsa offense as the team tries to incorporate 10 new players. Etou was willing to take 3-pointers, but hit just 29.1 percent of his long range shots. 



A PAIR OF SLEEPERS

Tacko Fall (C)

It's hard not to like Fall's name, but the 7-6 sophomore center also has game. He played intermittently for the Knights as a freshman curiosity. When he was able to stay out of foul trouble and get minutes, Fall produced. He put up a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double against Stetson on Dec. 2, then finished the season with 12.8 points and 11.0 rebounds in the last four games. His season averages of 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds won't cause him to be high on many preseason draft charts, but Fall could be among the conference leaders in boards and blocks (2.3 rejections as a freshman).

Alani Moore (G - freshman)

Players returning from injury can certainly fit into the sleeper section, but injuries can also open the door for playing time for sleepers. The Owls' starting point guard Josh Brown tore his Achilles' tendon in May and his status for the season is uncertain. There is an opening for the 5-10 Moore to get major playing time in his first season. He can penetrate and has the ability to score among the trees. He can also knock down shots from the perimeter. If Brown is unable to play, Moore could be thrust into the starting lineup and be an all-conference performer.